Thanks to some area credit unions, Ohio University students no longer need to leave the city to cash a check.

Credit unions, unlike banks, are nonprofit financial institutions owned by members of particular organizations. They offer services such as checking and saving accounts, loans and check cashing, said Cheri Campbell, teller supervisor at Ohio University Employees' Credit Union, 90 S. Shafer St.

Campbell said while the credit union used to serve OU employees, surrounding colleges and several Athens businesses, they extended their services a few months ago to include OU students who wish to become members.

"To become a member, you must open an account by depositing ten dollars," Campbell said.

Students then can use any of the services, including check cashing. All they have to do is present picture identification, and they ºshould not have problems cashing personal or payroll checks, she said.

Campbell said the only way students might have problems is if they have a large personal check. They might have to deposit it and wait a few days for it to clear.

Some students were unaware that a place in Athens offered these services to students.

Sophomore Amanda Brown, who has a job on campus, said she cashes her payroll checks at an Athens bank that does not require someone to have an account with them. Her bank does require an account in order to cash personal checks.

"Now that I know somewhere cashes personal checks, too, maybe I will think about opening an account there," she said.

Another area credit union, Appalachian Development Federal Credit Union, 9030 Hocking Hills Drive, The Plains, will allow

students to become members if they are part of certain organizations, credit union manager Lisa Carter said.

"The student must be a member of the Appalachian People Action Coalition or the Small Business Network," she said.